*Clondegad’s Barry Toner. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill THREE IN a row chasing Éire Óg have only lost one championship game in the last two years, that a second round defeat to Clondegad in 2021, the men from Ballynacally will look to inflict another group loss on the Ennis side when they do battle this weekend.
*Colm Collins and Eoin Cleary celebrate beating Cork in this year’s Munster SFC. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Last Saturday evening’s loss to Derry in Pearse Park, Longford signalled the end of Clare’s involvement in the race for Sam Maguire for 2023.
*Gary Brennan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill ONE OF CLARE’s greatest footballers is now part of the backroom team with the county’s senior hurlers.
*Ballyea’s Paul Flanagan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill OFTEN THE MAGNITUDE OF SUCCESS can be lost on players until they decide to call it a day but Paul Flanagan who has enjoyed a renaissance is well aware of what Ballyea are achieving.
BALLYEA ARE HEADING to the Munster club senior hurling final after edging out Cork champions St Finbarr’s.
*Gary Brennan leading the charge for Ballyea. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill GARY BRENNAN has seen a lot in his sporting career in both football and hurling representing club and county.
*Tomás Kelly celebrating St Joseph’s Tulla’s Harty Cup win over Ard Scoil Rís. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill COUNTY FINALS ARE OFTEN won by “the supporting cast” and that is likely to be the case in Sunday’s eagerly awaited clash between Ballyea and Éire Óg, Harty Cup winning coach Tomás Kelly maintained.
*Ballyea wing-forward, Cathal O’Connor. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill An already novel derby final pairing between Ballyea and Éire Óg also has the distinction of being the first hurling decider to have more players with senior inter-county football experience than the hurling equivalent.
*Fergal Lynch. FORMER CLARE hurler, Fergal Lynch believes a win for Éire Óg’s senior hurlers would be invaluable in boosting the promotion of hurling in the county town.
*Gary Brennan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill BALLYEA HAVE been boosted in their efforts to retain the Canon Hamilton with the return of two time Clare SHC winner, Gary Brennan to their panel.
